TROSTLETOWN COVERED BRIDGE
HISTORY
The bridge was named after the Trostle Family,
Who
immigrated here from Adams County, and opened a Grist mill. The
bridge
was built by the County Commissioners in 1873 as part of the county
Highway
system for traffic from the Lincoln Highway to Somerset. The
bridge
was completed Nov. 1, 1873. With a span of 52 feet in clear of
abutments
and 14 feet wide. it was said but not confirmed that John R. Mong
was the builder. Construction was the multiple king post and
Childes
Trusses. Authorized by the Commissioners Sept. 12, 1902, 42 feet
was added to the span, 36 feet on the far end and 6 feet on the
near.
The actual measurements are 87 feet in the clear and 5 feet on the
bearing
surfaces, making the span 94 feet. The bridge was abandoned by
the
county in the late 1950s and purchased by Bertram Specht. The
Stoystown
Lions purchased the bridge from the Specht Heirs in 1963. After 2
years of extensive repairs by Lion Members, the bridge was dedicated
Sept.
18, 1965. Time and weather took its toll and the main beams began
to rot. The Lions Club voted to rebuild the bridge before it fell
into the stream, and started a fund by money raising activities.
Under the Chairmanship of D. Larry Barnhart, donations were made by
various
lumber companies and workers. Contributions of money were made by
local business and Lion Members. A Bronze Plaque was permanently
placed to recognize all who made the restoration a reality. In
1993
the rebuilding was done by the Amish under the direction of David
Hostetler.
Specifications as set forth in the construction plans of 1873 and 1902
were made available by the Somerset Historical Society, and were
followed
making the bridge as it was originally. In 1994, after the lumber
dried, the first coat of paint was applied. In 1996, the final
coat
of paint was applied , funded by a Grant made available by State
Senator
Richard A. Kasunic. The Bridge was rededicated on Sept. 18,
1996.
Trostletown Bridge is listed as a Historical Site on the National
Register,
Theodore Burr Covered Bridge Society, and The Heritage Route.
After
the bridge was built in 1873, a bridge previously used was sold to
Isaac
Wendell for $735. Records and name of this bridge have not been
found.
Isaac Wendell lived in the area and died at the age of 103. He
also
operated the grist mill.